Running, Jogging, Sprinting & Marathon

Best Running Shoes for Men

Finding the right shoes for your personal needs is a difficult task, there are so many shoes out there and they all have incredibly complex and confusing descriptions. Wouldn’t it be great if you could find a list of the top ten best running shoes for men?

Well you’re in luck, this article is going to give you ten of the best running shoes that you can buy, and we’ll review them based on their price, their comfort, their style, their stability, and their durability. We’ll also let you know whether they suit short distances or long distances better, or whether they are perfect for all distances.

All of the shoes on this list have been chosen based on the fact that they are excellent, so don’t expect too many low scores on any category. But there will be a shoe for every need. If you’re looking for something that is cheap and cheerful then we have the shoe for you. Alternatively if you are planning on running a marathon in the best shoes that money can buy then we will also have that shoe for you. That way everyone walks away happy (while wearing awesome shoes).

Adidas is one of the best shoe making companies on the planet, and many of their shoes are adorned by the world’s greatest athletes. When it comes to excellent shoes, this company know what they are doing. The Adidas Ultra Boost is an incredible shoe for long distance running.

The first thing that you will probably notice is that the shoes do not have a tongue. Instead they are made to fit on you like a sock, the entire upper is knitted (also like a sock). The shoe is incredibly tight fitting, but because the upper is so soft and flexible this is a plus instead of a negative.

But while the upper is made to be as comfortable as possible, the sole is all business. Adidas have partnered up with Continental tires to create an excellent outsole that grips the ground amazingly well, even in adverse conditions or challenging terrain. The shoes use Boost technology for the cushioning which massively improves comfort but also improves your performance during a run.

This is because the boost cushioning works as a shock absorber, and instead of placing pressure on your ankles and shins with each step, the shoes use that energy to help drive you forward. It gives you a spring in your step which can make a huge difference during long distances.

Style wise, the Adidas Ultra Boosts really deliver. They look incredible, with the knitted top and the rubber sole combining nicely, particularly in the black and white colour combination version. These shoes look like no other, and in our opinion the design really works.

The second shoe on our list is the Nike LunarEpic Low Flyknit 2 (just rolls off the tongue that name). It’s actually very similar to the Adidas Ultra Boost in looks and design. It also uses a knitted upper, but does have a tongue (which is attached to the upper). It has incredible cushioning too, which gives it such a unique look, and makes long distance runs a breeze.

What’s interesting is that despite its heavy use of cushioning, the Nike LunarEpic Low Flyknit 2 is one of the lightest shoes on this list. Weighing in at only 249 grams you’ll barely notice that it’s on! Typically, this shoe is slightly cheaper than the Adidas Ultra Boost (though prices vary between sizes) and it is very similar in design. The only major differences are in stability, the Adidas Ultra Boost has that excellent grip, and a tough exoskeleton around the heel, which the Nike doesn’t use.

This of course makes the Nike shoe lighter and more flexible, so it’s a bit of a trade off, light weight or stable? You decide which one is more important to you, but pick either because they’re both fantastic.

Asics are a well respected shoe maker, and are often loved by recreational runners. If you’re looking for a shoe that will perform well for you on race day then get an Asics. The shoes we’re looking at today are the Asics GT 2000 6, these shoes perfect for anyone just getting into running. Their stability and durability will help you while you’re starting out.

We’ve put them down as medium distance running shoes, so around 5-10km but they could also work for shorter or longer distances. We picked medium because they aren’t the most comfortable shoes on this list, and this could become a bit of an issue over a longer distance. But they are light weight (303 grams), have an excellent cushion which will help increase momentum as you run, and their breathability is excellent.

Style wise they’re okay, the shoe seems a little long and narrow which works great when you’re wearing them, but looks a little odd when viewing the shoes. The colour schemes are a bit hit and miss. The stone grey, black, and white colour combination is beautiful, while the blue and orange is a crime against fashion.

The Brooks Glycerin 15 is potentially the most comfortable running shoe on this list. Increasing cushioning and comfort tends to reduce durability and stability slightly, but if the shoe is comfortable enough (and these are) it’s well worth the trade off. If you are more interested in running smoothly and without discomfort than you are interested in running as fast as you can then purchase a pair of Brooks Glycerin 15s.

Sadly these shoes are a little on the expensive side, and this can discourage some people from purchasing, but those with deeper pockets will be getting themselves an incredible pair of shoes. Aesthetically, these shoes are not the best. They have a nice shape, and the cushioning actually looks quite cool, but the colour schemes are plain awful.

Overall these shoes are perfect for daily wear, and will serve you well over long distances, and for many a training run. They are expensive, but they are also ridiculously comfortable, like running on air.

Okay, how can a shoe that has as much cushioning as the Bondi 5 be so light? The shoe weighs just 283 grams but seems to be twice the size of a regular running shoe. This is partly perspective, the shoes are average size, but due to the huge cushioning system they appear massive.

The shoe isn’t just about cushioning though, it benefits from a particularly flexible upper which uses engineered mesh. What’s interesting about this shoe is that while it may look like your foot will be high off the ground, it actually sinks down into the cushioning somewhat. It’s an unusual feeling, but it helps to keep your feet closer to the ground, while enveloping them in cushioned softness.

You’ll be able to run fast in these shoes, a lot faster than you might imagine just by looking at them. They are perfect for new runners, or runners who are looking to run long distances without any pain or discomfort. The shoes look a little odd aesthetically, but when you’ve got them on you won’t care as they are just so comfortable.

Our second Nike shoe is the Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 34, another well cushioned running shoe that will suit runners who are looking to run in races. Considering how good these shoes are, they are a very reasonable price and should fit most people’s budgets. They are incredibly durable and will suit longer runs really well, but they are still light enough to perform excellently in short to medium distances too.

The outsoles are quite impressive, using a hardy rubber cover which creates excellent traction as you run. The shoes use EVA foam for their cushioning, and you can tell while you run. They may not be quite as incredible as the Hoka One One Bondi 5s, but they’re damn close.

Design wise they look beautiful, particularly the darker colour combinations. Check out the Anthracite/Volt/Blue Orbit/Black combination (no, we have no idea what Anthracite or Volt are). The Pegasus line is pretty much an institution right now, having been around since the 80s and the 34s have excellently built on this excellent reputation.

Our second Hoka One One shoe, and this is potentially better than the Bondi 5! While the Bondi 5 is all about making your run as comfortable as possible, the Clifton 4 also wants to give you the smoothest run of your life. It manages to do this while still being just as comfortable. The shoe is ridiculously light at just 264g and also helps put a spring in your step by rebounding off the floor as your feet hit the pavement. This can make a huge difference to energy expenditure and speed.

Everything about these shoes is designed to help you run that little bit faster. They have a round toe and a slightly raised heel which will aid your running gait, allowing you to strike the floor slightly better with each step. The soft cushioning will improve shock absorption and reduce pain during longer runs, and will help improve your technique too.

Style wise the Hoka One One Clifton is very similar to the Bondi 5. Bright and bold colour schemes, a eye wateringly large cushion around the sole, and the raised toe box. It’s a quality shoe, and great for all distances and fitness levels.

The Brooks Transcend 4 is one of the least attractive looking shoe on this list (check out the last entry for the worst one), the colour scheme is bad, the sole is oddly shaped, and the patterns are dull. But none of that matters, if you want a shoe that will help you run lightening fast, and a shoe that will last for 30+ mile runs without hurting then this is the shoe for you.

The upper is a thing of beauty, with 3D Fit Print technology which allows the shoe to stretch to suit your needs and to provide amazing stability. It has a great, breathable mesh and a synthetic mid-foot saddle. The extra padding around the heel and ankle is also a nice touch. The midsole has a guide length rail which will massively help improve stability, particularly for overpronators.

These shoes may not be pretty but beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and a serious runner who wants support and durability while they conquer new personal bests will see the Brooks Transcend 4 as the most gorgeous running shoe in town.

Another Adidas shoe on this list, and it’s the Adidas Adizero Tempo 9 running shoe. These shoes are a little different to the Ultra Boosts we looked at earlier though. They are very light weight (252g) and are perfect for running fast in.

They have very breathable mesh uppers, which will really help to keep your feet well ventilated. Apparently the air mesh design was inspired by Japanese Origami. Which is clearly a bit of marketing talk, but the mesh is undeniably effective.

The shoes are also well cushioned meaning that if you wanted to wear them on longer journeys then you could. They have used Continental tyres for their grip again, which will really help you find purchase on the road. This will massively improve your speed work, and your running technique.

Style wise, the shoes look really nice particularly the grey, black, and solar yellow combination. The cushioning is small and understated which helps the shoe look sleek. This shoe is a really great option for fast runners, or for long distance runners who want a specific speed work shoe.

The last shoe on our list is also the third Hoka One One shoe on it. This is the Hoka One One Speed Instinct 2 and it’s similar to the Adidas Adizero in that it is designed for speed work. Let’s get the obvious bit out of the way the Hoka One One Speed Instinct 2 is probably the ugliest shoe in history. The colour scheme is so bad that you can only assume the design team were completing some intricate practical joke!

But if you can get past this, you’ve got a pretty amazing shoe on your hands (or feet). The mesh upper is seamless and uses zonal 3D printing. This provides superior breathability and also offers incredible support. The shoe uses a meta rocker to improve running gait and increase speed. Where this shoe really stands out though is the traction.

The traction is so good on these road running shoes, that you could actually take them off road and you would have just as good a pair of trail running shoes as the specifically made ones. These shoes would be perfect for obstacle races such as Tough Mudder, they have great traction, the mesh will prevent them from getting too waterlogged, they will allow you to run at very fast speeds, and they’re so ugly that you will happily track through mud and water in them.

Final Thoughts

The Clifton 4 running shoes from Hoka One One were the highest rated on this list, but as you can see from the table, each shoe has its benefits. The Transcend has great durability, the Adizero has excellent stability, the Speed Instinct 2 is perfect for obstacle races, the Pegasus is great for short to medium distance running. Find the shoe that works best for you, and get out there and run!

Running Gear

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